Carlisle’s Neighbourhood Policing Team have visited thirteen primary schools to educate pupils on the consequences of knife crime.
Youngsters were taught the risks of carrying a knife – including how it puts the person carrying the knife and others at risk of serious injury or death and how carrying one can lead to a £5,000 fine or four years in jail – even when it is not used.
Carlisle Neighbourhood Policing team inspector Andrew Leather who led the week, said: “The aim of the week was to educate people from an early age about the dangers of carrying a knife and getting involved in violent crime.
“We hope that those pupils visited last week take onboard the very real consequences of knife crime and share that with their peers.
“We will further build on that education with the visits from Samantha’s Legacy. to secondary schools.
“We will continue to be proactive in targeting those believed to be carrying weapons.
“If you know someone who is carrying a knife or other weapons, please report it to us or Crimestoppers anonymously. We are all aware from incidents locally and nationally the impact this has on people’s lives and wider communities.”
Twelve secondary schools have also signed up for a presentation later this year by Samantha’s legacy which is a charity in Newcastle.
During the week officers also proactively targeted knife crime in Carlisle, this resulted in:
- 19 people stop searched across the week.
- One male to be interviewed for drugs possession
- One male arrested for drug driving
- One man dealt with for possession of cannabis
Whist out in the community officers also spoke with numerous young people about the impact of anti-social behaviour and the consequences. One young person was taken home by officers and spoken to in front of their parents about their behaviour.
As a force, Cumbria Police regularly run Operation Sceptre to remove knives from the community, unnecessary knives and other sharp weapons lying around only adds to the risk of being involved in a crime.
If you are worried about someone you know carrying a knife, help and guidance is available:
- Knife crime | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org)
- Crimestoppers is an independent charity that enables you to report crime anonymously – 0800 555 111
- If you are aware someone is carrying a knife or offensive weapon, report it.
Call 999 straight away if there is an ongoing incident involving a knife or offensive weapon.
